Nickel-copper alloy



Patented uly 14, 1925 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JUS'I'US W. LEHR, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO U. S. INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL (30., A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

mcxnn-cor'rnn ALLOY.

nickel and a low percentage of other metals,-

aside from copper which constitutes the preponderating element in the alloy.

This invention has as an object the pro-- vision of a nickel copper alloy which will have a decreased nickel content with respect to Monel metal, but which will not have qualities inferior to-Monel metal by reason of such reduction. A further object is to provide a mix for an alloy which wilLnot contain large amounts of soft metals, such as tin or lead, which make the product more fusible but uneven in texture and hardness, and diflicult to work. A still further object is toprovi'de a non-corrosive alloy for general use, which will have a, high tensile.

. strength and which may be made in the form of white metal at minimum expense, with out the hi h cost due to scrap loss in prior practice. I urther objects will appear hereina'fter.

The invention in its preferred embodiment consists of an alloy comprising nickel to tin 2 95, and the remainder-copper.

'- A deoxidizersuch as silicon, manganese, and

zirconium may be used in an amount equal to 1% or less.- The nickel percentage may range from '20t'0'40%, however, and the percentage of tin may range from '1 to 6%, with corresponding alterations in the percentage of the copper. Such a mix when melted would produce a white metal alloy that Has excellent tensile strength and that is eminently suited for making white metal articles that will resistcorrosion, such as spigots, pipes, conduits, valves, etc.

The metal may be cast by a special process. In casting in a permanent mold, the temperature is controlled to permit a rapid 5 cooling in order'to freeze out a maximum lead. p

' "Application 'flled August as, 1923. Serial No. 659,842.

concentration of the nickel rich constituent, whereby there will be obtained the advantages of a high nickel alloy while at the same time retaining the total nickel content at a comparatively low figure, so that the difliculties of melting the mix will be lessened. Casting in a permanent iron mold, dusted with graphite, will secure the results desired, and will produce closely joined solid solutions of high nickel and copper content respectively without the formation of interv crystalline materials.

The alloy produced from the above composition or compositions will possess great.

strength, uniformity, resistance to corrosion,

and a close-grained structure. In these properties. it is equal to and even superior to the well-known Monel metal which has a substantially higher content of nickel.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof,

it is to be understoodthat I do'not intend to limit-myself to the specific embodiment thereof except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A non-corrodible alloy nickel 20 to 40%, tin 1 to 6%, and the remainder copper, and containing substantially no lead.

2. A non-corrodible alloy containing mainder copper.

A non-corrodible, alloy containing nickel over 25%, tin 2%%,

and the rement in'the alloy.

containing 'nickel 25 to 45%, tin 2 f;%, and the rcmainder copper as the preponderating el e- 4. A deoxidized non-corrodible alloy coni taining nickel 25 to 40%, tin 1 to 6%, and the remainder copper, and containing no' 5. A deoxidized non-corrodible alloy conremainder copper.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of August, 1923. i

JUSTUS W. LEHR.

- taining nickel 35'to 40%, ,tin 2 and the 

